Dog Health Depends on How You Administer Dog First Aid After Illness or Injury

As a dog owner, one of your responsibilities is to know what to do when your dog becomes ill or is injured in an accident. Your dog's health depends on you following a few simple rules of dog first aid.

In the event that your dog has gotten into a fight, the first part of dog first aid is to check him for any bites, scratches or wounds. This may be difficult to do, as your pet will most likely be very protective of any hurt areas. Since you may now be sure of what type of animal your dog was fighting with, it is a good idea to wash the wounds with warm water and bandage them as best as you can. Then get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to apply ointments or give shots that will help ease your dog's discomfort, as well as make sure your dog as not acquired rabies from the encounter.

Noticing that your pet is limping or favoring one of his paws calls for some quick dog first aid. Check the paw and see if any foreign object may have lodged itself in between the pads. Also notice if you see any punctures on the pads, or any evidence of dried blood. If you do find a briar or other natural sharp object, use tweezers to remove the object and flush the area with warm water. f infection has not begun to set in, your dog should be walking normally in no time. If the pain seems to persist, call the vet.

If your dog swallows something that lodges in his throat, administer dog first aid by attempting to massage the throat to help dislodge the item. Make sure your pet can breathe, and get him to a pet hospital or vet as quickly as possible. Do not try to stick your hand in the dog's mouth. You will only frighten the animal that much more and most likely will be bitten.

It is important to remember that dog first aid is meant to be a means of beginning treatment to your pet at the onset of injury. Chances are you will need to transport your dog to a veterinarian in order to treat the condition completely. Dog first aid is often the first line of defense against permanent health problems for your pet. For more information on how you can provide efficient dog first aid, consult your veterinarian.